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Article

Abstract

The Military Police is a special federal police force in Canada with unique authority, designed to support military commanders both in operations and in garrison. However, it has historically been under the command of non-Military Police officers, and is consequently not governed like other police forces in Canada. Part of this arrangement can be explained by its special military duties, but much of it is the result of a tradition that is at odds with current societal norms. It is the position of the author that differences in norms between the Military Police and other Canadian police forces can only be justified by bona fide military requirements. This article proposes pragmatic changes that would see the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, who is the senior Military Police officer of the Canadian Forces, command all Military Police. Their duties and functions, however, would be guided by a newly established Military Police Services Board. This Board would provide transparent policy guidance and require equally transparent accountability from the Military Police in a manner that respects the norms of Canadian law and other police services. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.